Brattleboro Reformer

Hogan backs fellow independent for state's attorney
By Patrick Armstrong
October 18, 2002

Independent candidate for governor Cornelius "Con" Hogan saluted another independent candidate Thursday when he announced his endorsement of Gwen Harris for Windham County state's attorney.

"She's really served the community," said Hogan, adding that what he liked about Harris' candidacy was "her absolute openness about this whole process."

Harris is running against four-term incumbent Dan Davis, who received both the Democratic and Republican nominations for state's attorney. Hogan said in a gubernatorial candidate's forum Wednesday night that "the power of the major parties is on the wane," and that there were unprecedented numbers of people running across the state as independents.

"It's going to happen more and more," he added. "The parties need to grow up and accept it -- we're not taking their votes, it's the people's votes."

Harris and Hogan agreed on a number of issues, including the fact that races for governor and lieutenant governor might have to be decided in the Legislature, if no candidate receives a majority.

Both candidates indicated that, because the requirement that a vote should go the Legislature is in the state Constitution, it has to be supported. However, Hogan said he supported eventually creating some form of instant runoff voting.

Hogan has made health care an issue of his campaign, particularly eliminating the large overhead caused by administrative costs. Harris also discussed health care, and how it could work in helping reduce crime by treating medical problems that lead to substance abuse.

"I think an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure," said Harris. "The healthier you are, the less likely you are to abuse substances, and the less likely you are to face a judge."